Move over G.I. Joe, there's a new action figure in town. Meet the official "Steve Jobs action figure." No, it isn't a product spoof courtesy of Saturday Night Live. This, indeed, is a real product. And until today, it was available for purchase. But "Black Friday" has brought with it an end to at least one sale. And you'll never guess who made a stink about about the product and effectively ended its retail life (insert sarcasm here).

The M.I.C Store (which has been selling Steve Jobs action figures for about $80) posted the following on its website: "We have just received an email from a law firm representing Apple.Inc. Apple has informed us that this phenomenal SJ action figure, has not consented to the use of Apple’s copyrights and trademarks, therefore they request us immediately to cease the marketing and sale of this figure."

The legal eagles representing Apple stated in the aforementioned email that unauthorized use of a person’s name and/or likeness constitutes a violation of California Civil Code Section 3344, which prohibits the use of any person’s name, photograph or likeness in a product without that person’s prior consent. And it's pretty clear that Apple's CEO did not place his stamp of approval on this product. In fact, it seems the people at Apple reacted faster to the sale of Steve Jobs action figures than they did to quell the fallout from the controversial stolen iPhone 4 incident.

Sad but true, it now appears that all the little boys and girls who were hoping for a Steve Jobs action figure this Christmas will be horribly disappointed next month.
M.I.C. Store